Starting on Christmas crafts...

 Today in the mail, we received this beautiful polka-dot shirt from the ever-talented Valérie at 

L'Ateliér de Marie et Rose-Alice.

It turned out to be the perfect shirt to wear with Q's new Christmas hat that she painted with silver glitter.

 She put this outfit together herself ;)

One more thing....

Several people have asked the source of the gilded skirt and stag top that Q is wearing in our Thanksgiving photos. 

So here it is, from the fall/winter '11 collection at Anais & I out of New York, with illustrations by me, I'm proud to say!(And yes, there's a bunny as well, with a Liberty print bow!)

The top is here, the skirt is here!

The Ice Cave, by Maia C. Larkin

With the Holiday season in full swing, I thought it was a good time to do one of my Etsy shopping roundups and put up a selection of my favorite things from the world of all-things-handmade!

I'll start out by mentioning that, in my own shop The Voyagers (above) all 8.5 x 11 prints are discounted from $25 to $19 right now. In addition, look for free or discounted shipping (depending on your location) throughout the shop! AND, through Cyber Monday only, use COUPON CODE ThankYou10 at checkout for 10% off of you entire purchase!

Without further ado, here are some of my picks for the most magical things in the handmade universe this holiday season!

O is for Owl by Rebekka Seale

The shop of the gorgeous, sweet and talented Rebekka Seale, whose illustrations never fail to enchant (Q has one hanging near her bed to sweeten her dreams!)

These AMAZING folklore cups made to order by Ninainvorm out of The Netherlands.
I had such a hard time choosing a single image from this shop because each and every item is so absolutely wonderful!

boutique Snow Bloom dress/tunic by Poompatta

The gorgeous, embellished, India-inspired dresses at Poompatta. Q has a couple in her closet, and they are beautiful and enduring!

Upcycled deer mugs by Second Chance Ceramics. Perfect for a cup of cocoa on a snowy day. I love the reindeer mug too!

The amazing confectionary world of Andie's Specialty Sweets. If you ever have the need to decorate the cake of all cakes, this is where to go!

 And by way of a stocking-stuffer, the Mid-Century Designers pencil set at oneupdesigns.

That's all for today!
Happy Shopping!!

 Today our friends were back from Miami, and we all met up at Whole Foods in the midst of Holiday mayhem for lunch and sorbets.

Larkin, Pettus and Dahl children. Evidently Q had a bit of a thing for the Nutcracker guy.

 Q and her lime-ade sorbet.

 I'm not sure who started the dance-off...

 ...but it progressed quickly into a major event...

 ...at the Whole Foods Pizza Bar in the middle of the lunch rush.

 Goodness!

My family is just not this flexible, sadly. 

 Bianca schools Q in a very graceful splits stretch.

 And Q tries it out in turn.

 I think Q just gave up and started breakdancing in between Bianca and Sasha here! Is she takin' it 2 da street? Will she risk everything?

 Ballet-trained Sasha has her moves down!

Bonding with Bianca over pink things.

 Thanksgiving, Part 2

 Thanksgiving at the Larkins, part 1.